Printable · GCSE Foundation · ages 14-16

Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

Fifteen questions across the algebra statements at Foundation tier. Choose the non-calculator filter to rehearse Paper 1, which counts for a third of the marks.

Non-calculator

VersionsA only A + B A + B + Csame questions, different order

AnswersQuestions only With answer key Key only

CalculatorMixed Non-calculator (Paper 1)Calculator (Papers 2 and 3)

New sheet

Algebra worksheet — GCSE Foundation

Maths · GCSE Foundation · Algebra · Non-calculator · 15 questions

MathsUKwww.geekhero.co.uk

1.A straight line has equation y = 4 − 3x. Work out the gradient of the line.
(a)4
(b)−4
(c)3
(d)−3
2.Simplify 5a/6 − a/3
(a)7a/6
(b)2a/3
(c)4a/3
(d)a/2
3.Solve 2x² − 32 = 0.
(a)x = 8
(b)x = 4
(c)x = 16
(d)x = 4 or x = −4
4.Solve x² + 7x = 0.
(a)x = 0 or x = 7
(b)x = 0 or x = −14
(c)x = 0 or x = −7
(d)x = −7
5.For the equation 2x + 3 = 11, and the inequality 2x + 3 > 11, which statement correctly compares their solutions?
(a)The equation has one solution; the inequality has many.
(b)Both have exactly one solution.
(c)Both have many solutions.
(d)The equation has many solutions; the inequality has one.
6.a = 3 and b = 5. Work out the value of a²b.
(a)45
(b)75
(c)14
(d)225
7.A student is asked whether 3(x − 4) = 3x − 4 is an identity. Which statement gives the correct verdict and reason?
(a)It is an identity, because both sides begin with the term 3x, so they must be equivalent.
(b)It is not even an ordinary equation with a solution: expanding the left-hand side gives 3x − 12, and 3x − 12 = 3x − 4 would require −12 = −4, which is never true.
(c)It is not an identity, because the student forgot to multiply the 4 by 3 on both sides of the equation.
(d)It is not an identity, because the student needs to substitute a specific value of x before comparing the two sides.
8.The diagram shows a distance–time graph for a cyclist travelling at a constant speed, for the first 6 minutes of a journey. Distance is in kilometres and time is in minutes. Work out how far the cyclist would travel in 20 minutes at the same speed.
(a)20 km
(b)10 km
(c)40 km
(d)3 km
9.An equation has exactly one value of x that makes it true, but an identity is true for every value of x. Which of these best explains why 3x + 5 = 20 is an equation rather than an identity?
(a)It has an = sign, and equations always use =.
(b)3x + 5 cannot be simplified, so it must be an equation.
(c)Only x = 5 satisfies 3x + 5 = 20, not every value of x.
(d)A number on the right-hand side makes it an equation.
10.A caterer uses the formula C = 6p + 20 to work out the total cost, £C, of a buffet for p people, where £20 covers fixed costs. A customer is charged £92. Work out how many people, p, the buffet was for.
(a)18.67
(b)12
(c)15.33
(d)4.3
11.A sequence has nth term 3n + 4. Two terms are missing from the list of its first five terms: 7, 10, _, 16, _. Work out the missing 3rd and 5th terms added together.
(a)28
(b)38
(c)32
(d)33
12.A gym charges a joining fee plus a monthly fee. Anna paid £100 in total after 3 months of membership. Ben paid £160 in total after 6 months of membership (same joining fee and monthly fee as Anna). Work out the monthly fee.
(a)£26.67
(b)£40
(c)£6.67
(d)£20
13.A straight line has gradient −2 and passes through the point (3, 1). Work out the equation of the line.
(a)y = −2x + 7
(b)y = −2x − 5
(c)y = 2x + 7
(d)y = −2x + 1
14.Simplify x + x + 4
(a)x² + 4
(b)6x
(c)x + 4
(d)2x + 4
15.In which quadrant does the point (−3, 0.5) lie?
(a)the second quadrant
(b)the fourth quadrant
(c)the third quadrant
(d)the first quadrant

Build your own mix at the worksheet builder.